Adjustable handle for bicycles



(NoModeL) E. O. WOODARD.

ADJUSTABLE HANDLE FOR BIGYGLES. Y No.'52'7,576. Patented Oct. 16, 1894.

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EDWARD o. ooDARnJoF QBROOKTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

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srncrrrcn'rroiv forming arser Letters iatent No. 527,576, dated October Application filed July 12,l894. Serial N0|/517|293| (No model.)

"To-all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, EDWARD O. WOODARD,

of Brockton, in the county of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, haveinvented certainf new and useful Improvements in Adj ustablefi of which the following bifurcated lugs e on the handle-bars. It will "Handles for Bicycles,

is a specification.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved construction of adjust-f able handle-bars for bicycles, so arranged that the rider can readily change the adjustment without stopping to dismount, and moreover permitting the handle-bars to be folded when l desired to compact the bicycle .for shipment,

or to accommodate it to limited space.

Anembodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form part of this specification, and of which- Figure'l shows an elevation of the parts embodying the invention, as viewed from the rear, with a portion of the steering head ap-' pearing, and part of the frame in section, the handle-bars being represented as spread to the limit. Fig. 2 shows a top plan view of the same parts. Fig. 3 shows a side elevation, with the handle-bars folded. Fig.4 shows a front View, with the handle-bars folded.

In the drawings the letter a designates the steering head, which receives the stem of the front fork in a bicycle of the well-known safety type, andb designates the handle-bar post, which is of tubular form and fits within the steering head. Said posthas at its upper end a rigid cross-head b, which is bifurcated vertically at its ends to receive ears on the handle -bars 0; and pivots c are passed through the bifurcations and cars, so as to permit movement of the handle-bars up and down. Movement of the handle-bars on these pivots not only secures vertical adjustment, but also provides for swinging the handlebars downwardly to inoperative positions beside the frame of the machine, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, this being of great advantage in shipping and also when leaving the bicycle standing, for it not only reduces the space occupied, but also prevents use of the machine and is thus a protection against theft.

I and carriesa cross-head d at its upper end.

Curved equalizing links 6 connect said crosshead with the handle-bars respectively, said links being jointed at their upper ends to the cross-head, whose ends are bifurcated to receive them, and jointed at their lower ends to now be seen that the connections abovedescribed will cause a corresponding movement of either handle-bar when the other is moved, 'i

against the rod (1, and this screw has a handle f by which to turn it and lock or unlock the handle-bars. The screw f affords a con venient and easily manipulated means by which the rider can set the handle-bars without dismounting. v

' I provide an additional device for locking the handle when the bicycle is to be left standing. This device is in the form of aset-screw g entered through a suitably formed boss on the front side of the post and arranged to bear against the rod 01. This set-screw is made with a triangular head or outer end 9 requiring a wrench of special construction to turn it 5 and the special function of this screw is to lock the handles in their operative adjustment, and prevent use of the machine. The peculiar form of the screws head prevents it from being turned by an ordinary implement.

It will now be seen that my-invention provides for the depression of the handle-bars to an inoperative position, and for their up; ward movement from said position to variously elevated operative positions, the equalizing conections being movable of the handle-bars to a sufficient extent to permit the handle-bars to occupy the various positions mentioned, said positions extending through a wide range of adjustment. It will also be seen that the set-screw, f, co-operates with on'the rear side of the post, so as to-bear The invention also provides for reducing the compass of the bicycle to accommodate it to limited space, and for effectually locking the handle-bars in their inoperative adj ustment.

It is evident that the equalizing means shown may be modified without departing from the invention.

What I claim as my inventionis as follows:

1. In a bicycle, the combination of the handle-bar post, handle-bars pivotally connected to said post and eachadapted to swing downwardly to an inoperative position beside the frame of the machine, and-to-beadjusted mp.- wardly from said position to variously elevated operative positions, movable equalizing connections between said handle: bars, whereby said bars are causedto maintain corresponding positions, and: afastening. device co-operating with said connections whereby" the handle-bars may be positively secured in any operative positionto which they may be adjusted. v

2. In a bicycle, thecombinationof. a hollow handle-bar post, handle-bars pivoted thereto so as tomovein avertical plane, ai slide fitted tothe post, and equalizing links connecting said slide with. the handle-bars,

to move in atvertical plane, a rod fitted to slide in the post, equalizing links connecting said rod and the handle-bars, and a set-screw in the post arranged to bear against the rod."

Q slide the. post, equalizinglinks connecting said rod and the handle-bars, and a set-screw in the post arranged to bear against the rod, and havinga triangular head.

5. In a bicycle, the combination of a handle-bar post, handle-bars pivoted to move in a vertical plane, equalizing connections between the barmandalock for fixing the bars to the post in their folded adjustment.

6. In a bicycle,.the,combination of a hollow handlebar post, handle-bars v pivoted thereto to move in a vertical plane a rod fitted to slide in; the: post, equalizing links connecting said rod and; the, handle-bars-,.and alock for fastening. the sliding rod. and the; postflto- Lgether.

In testimony whereof I have signed my nameto thistspecification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 9th day of J 'uly, A, D. 1894..

ARD C; WOODARD'.

Witnesses: l

FRED M. BIXBY, E. H. FLETCHER. 

